WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack celebrated Earth Day by announcing record support for 116 projects that will improve water and wastewater services for rural Americans and benefit the environment.

In Maine, six rural Maine communities will benefit from $29,707,000 in USDA Rural Development funds.

Oxford has been selected to receive $23,670,000 (Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan of $13,334,000 and grant of $10,336,000) to build a new wastewater treatment facility and collection system. It will consists of a series of seven pump stations, 48,350 linear feet of pipes and a membrane bioreactor waste system.

Hartland has been selected to receive $1,600,000 (Wastewater Disposal Direct Loan of $400,000 and grant of $1,200,000) to make improvements to the treatment facility.

Danforth has been selected to receive $620,000 (Wastewater Disposal Direct Loan of $345,000 and grant of $275,000) to upgrade the Sandy Stream Pump Station and make improvements to the wastewater treatment facility. These upgrades help to preserve the Baskahegan Stream Watershed.

Stonington Water Co. will receive $1,200,000 (Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan of $757,000 and grant of $443,000) to rehabilitate existing wells and controls, upgrade tank and treatment plant systems, and replace approximately 2,500 feet of water main and services.

Gardiner has been selected to receive $555,000 (Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan of $391,000 and grant of $164,000) to replace a 900-foot-long sewer main located adjacent to the Cobbossee Stream.

Van Buren will receive $862,000 (Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan of $662,000 and grant of $200,000) to replace the wastewater collection system and storm drain system on several streets. The project will provide environmental benefits by preserving the St. John River Watershed.

The Wiscasset Water District will receive $1,200,000 ($750,000 Water and Waste Direct Loan and $450,000 grant) to replace approximately 4,000 linear feet of deteriorating six-inch and eight-inch cast iron pipe with larger 12-inch mains.

More information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov/me.